Government of Canada Helps an Individual With a Disability in Summerside Develop Job Skills

SUMMERSIDE, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND--(Marketwire - Jan. 31, 2011) - A person with a disability will get work experience through the Government of Canada's support for an employment project. The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Member of Parliament for Egmont, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development.

"In today's environment, it is more important than ever that all Canadians have the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market," said Minister Shea. "By supporting projects like this one, our government is helping Canadians with disabilities maximize their potential and independence."

With assistance from the federal Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities, the Société Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin will hire an individual with a disability to handle certain administrative duties within the organization. The individual hired will thus gain practical work experience leading to potential employment.

The Société Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin will receive over $12,000 under the Work Experience component of the Opportunities Fund.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

BACKGROUNDER

The Government of Canada is committed to breaking down barriers that prevent Canadians with disabilities from reaching their full potential with a wide range of effective policies, programs and services.

The Work Experience component of the Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities is designed to help Canadians with disabilities who have little or no work experience, and who are not eligible for Employment Insurance benefits. The Fund is available to eligible organizations that provide opportunities for people with disabilities to gain unpaid work experience leading to potential employment.

The Opportunities Fund is part of the Government of Canada's strategy to create the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world. The Government underscored its commitment to this strategy in Canada's Economic Action Plan. A key component of the Plan is to create more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development. To learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.